Northland vs Auckland

KiwiMurph

Trainor has returned to his standard play. Mud.

KiwiMurph

@kiwimurph said in Northland vs Auckland:

Trainor has returned to his standard play. Mud.

Same with Prattley. How does this fucking guy keep getting picked?

Kirwan

@kirwan

One of the few good things he’s done. I’ve only been watching this game to watch him, and he looks the third best Auckland loose forward. If I were an AB selector I’d be hoping to see be more powerful with his strength - nice example there where he just let Pryor turn over the ball.

He’s been working hard on defence, made some crucial tackles. Not sure why we aren’t seeing his normal attacking game.

gt12

@kirwan

He’s made a few cover tackles, but is hardly dominant, and he’s just jogging around.

Good example here where he made no effort to keep up with the play.

Tim

@kiwimurph He's just too small.

Kirwan

Great D from northland, then they try to run it from their line. Madness.

KiwiMurph

@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:

@kiwimurph He's just too small.

And he has shit hands.

Rayasi looks sharp again. Very impressed by him.

Tim

About four Northland players went straight to deck in that ruck.

Kirwan

@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:

About four Northland players went straight to deck in that ruck.

Yep the ref is letting lots go

Kirwan

Another good tackle from akira, and forces a turnover.

KiwiMurph

Nice pressure by Akira at ruck time.

gt12

I think I know why Akira hasn’t been selected for the ABs. During the last passage of play, both he and Papailii attended three rucks. However, Akira just arrived and leant on them, while Dalton attends with power - making two dominant clean outs.

I want to make it clear that I think he has all the talent to be an amazing AB, but he’s just not contributing consistently.

Btw: Good cover tackle there, and another, and a turnover attempt to finish the half.

Kirwan

Our lineout is not going well, we need to clean that up in the second half.

African Monkey

@kirwan It's terrible. We're getting beaten to the punch at breakdown time as well and won't win this game unless we fix up those areas. Akira needs a rest, I'd take him off and bring on Sotutu.

KiwiMurph

Northland deserve their halftime lead.

Auckland blowing chances like last week. I think it might cost them this week.

Tim

@gt12 These last two games he's looked very lethargic. He may be tired from playing every minute of every Blues game, but this just isn't anywhere near good enough. Get in the game or come off the bench.

Kirwan

Bored of people speculating why Akira has not been selected for the ABs. Hanson has said why, some waffle about not going through his processes on defence.

Reminds me of Mitchell talking about Cullens thumb grip on the ball.

Akira is playing fine, has saved out bacon multiple times this half and people are complaining he’s not scoring 50 metre trys.

Give the guy a break.

Kirwan

@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:

@gt12 These last two games he's looked very lethargic. He may be tired from playing every minute of every Blues game, but this just isn't anywhere near good enough. Get in the game or come off the bench.

He’s certainly had a huge year with Tana playing him into the ground.

gt12

@tim

It could be that. He may need a rest or some more fitness? I haven’t been watching the play at all, only trying to find him, and it’s surprising how he is just jogging around. He still makes some positive impact, but it’s only for 30 seconds or two plays.

If you were picking the next AB in this game, it would be Papailii. He’s busy as fuck. Pryor seems to be going well too.

Dice

Several times our timing on passes has been off.

The Silver Fern

Northland vs Auckland